Cuba is experiencing a nationwide blackout affecting over 10 million citizens after the unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras power plant led to the collapse of the National Electric System. The Cuban government has declared an 'energy state of emergency' and suspended all non-essential services, including schools and restaurants, as restoration efforts are in their early stages. President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero have attributed the crisis to an aging power infrastructure heavily reliant on imported oil and have pointed fingers at U.S. sanctions on Venezuela for exacerbating the situation. Citizens are facing severe impacts, including spoilage of food, lack of access to water due to electric pumps failing, and widespread disruptions to daily life. The economic challenges, compounded by inflation and a migration crisis, have left the country struggling to meet its energy demands. Despite these setbacks, officials are working to stabilize the grid, although power outages are expected to persist in the coming days.